Some info on the recent Reference Recordings LPs

[ack]

So I just got off the phone with Marcia Martin, having apparently received the first defective Quality Pressings copy - Exotic Dances From The Opera. I wasn't going to buy this LP, but then the recent 20% sale pushed me over. On first listen, the improvement over the HDCD was instantly evident - much crisper and oh so you-are-there, deeper more powerful bass as well. She said this was pressed from the original analog master tape, from the days they were recording both analog and digital together (the CD was done from the digital master). However, it is also true that for pressing, all recordings go through the digital process (without being specific). I suspect the Symphonic Dances were also from the original analog tape - MikeL had alluded to that as well back then. Anyway, just a little tidbit that it sounds like Keith Johnson will use the analog masters where they exist.

 

[MadFloyd]

I had no idea that they recorded in both analog and digital, very interesting news.

I too recently purchased the same LP (but haven't listened to it yet). How was yours defective?

 

[ack]

Smart people do record in both formats, especially those who believe early digital was just not even close. My copy has occasional high distortion on the left channel, and it may not necessarily be the pressing itself. They will investigate and get back to me, I hope. It was also claimed that the HRx hi-rez copies are also from the analog masters.

@Marcia: thanks for the discussion, and I forgot to mention: your husband is a genius, and how about that phono stage

 

[ack]

And some management changes at Reference Recordings http://referencerecordings.blogspot.com/2012/10/leadership-team-changes-at-reference.html

 

[astrotoy]

I had no idea that they recorded in both analog and digital, very interesting news.

Exotic Dances was one of the first albums released by the Tape Project. They only do copies from analogue masters, nothing digital. However, Keith never released it in vinyl until now. Paul Stubblebine, who is the TP principal responsible for the tape production also works closely with RR. He did all the half speed mastering of the new vinyl. When I did my shoot out to choose the ADAC for my ripping project 2+ years ago, Paul ran the session. Interestingly, he cut a lacquer of the RR Symphonic Dances album - first side, for us to use in making the rips to test the different ADACs (along with some of my favorite vinyl.)

Larry